Apple has pushed a new XProtect security update for Macs running macOS Sequoia and macOS Tahoe. The update arrives as an out-of-cycle release, which usually means Apple is addressing security changes outside its regular schedule.
This update brings XProtect to version 5337. Apple has not shared details about the specific security fixes, which is standard practice until patches are fully deployed.
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What’s new
The update includes a few targeted changes rather than a broad overhaul.
- Removes the Yara detection rule for MACOS.SOMA.MAENB
- No changes to existing Osascript rules in XPScripts.yr
- Focus remains on internal malware detection tuning rather than visible features
Apple keeps XProtect updates silent and automatic, so users rarely see changelogs or alerts.
Limited to newer macOS versions
Right now, this update is available only for:
- macOS Sequoia
- macOS Tahoe
Devices running older macOS versions remain on XProtect version 5336 through standard software updates.
This split happens because newer macOS versions rely on a different delivery system tied to iCloud for security data updates.
How to check if your Mac is updated
You can confirm whether your Mac has received the update using simple steps:
- Open About This Mac
- Go to System Information
- Select Software > Installations
If you want to check manually using Terminal:
- Run:
sudo xprotect check - To force update:
sudo xprotect update
These commands help when the update has not synced yet through Apple’s background system. XProtect is Apple’s built-in malware protection system. It updates quietly in the background and blocks known threats without user interaction.
Out-of-cycle updates like this usually point to quick rule adjustments or threat response changes. Even without detailed notes, installing the latest version keeps your Mac protected against emerging risks.
If your Mac runs Sequoia or Tahoe, it should receive this update automatically. You can still check manually to be sure everything is up to date.
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